Difference between revisions of "Censorship"
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'''Censorship''' is the prohibition of speech from an audience for ideological reasons, as in the banning of prayer in the classroom. | '''Censorship''' is the prohibition of speech from an audience for ideological reasons, as in the banning of prayer in the classroom. | ||
| − | ==The First Amendment and censorship in the U. S.== | + | ==The [[First Amendment]] and censorship in the U. S.== |
In the United States, the First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Broadly speaking, the First Amendment is designed to prevent the government from exercising censorship. However, the government does censor political and religious speech anyway. | In the United States, the First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Broadly speaking, the First Amendment is designed to prevent the government from exercising censorship. However, the government does censor political and religious speech anyway. | ||
Revision as of 02:19, March 4, 2008
Censorship is the prohibition of speech from an audience for ideological reasons, as in the banning of prayer in the classroom.
The First Amendment and censorship in the U. S.
In the United States, the First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Broadly speaking, the First Amendment is designed to prevent the government from exercising censorship. However, the government does censor political and religious speech anyway.
More specifically, the government should not exercise "prior restraint." That is, a citizen should not need advance permission from the government in order to publish something, unless it threatens national security. This does not mean that publication may not have consequences. A citizen can be sued for publishing libel, or incarcerated for disclosing military secrets, but the consequences typically occur after publication, not before.
History
The word censorship derives from the nae of the Roman officials who conducted the census and supervised public morality.